### **Fifth Seal (Revelation 6:9-11) – The Albigensian Crusade in France and the Persecution of the Faithful**
The Fifth Seal reveals the souls of those slain for the word of God, crying out for justice. This period corresponds to the persecution of believers who resisted Papal authority, particularly during the **Albigensian Crusade (1209–1229 CE)**—a brutal campaign against the Cathars in southern France.
#### **Revelation 6:9-11 (KJV)**
*"And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled."*
### **Interpretation of the Fifth Seal**
The **altar** symbolizes Christ, who is both the **Temple** (John 2:19) and the **Altar** (Hebrews 13:10-12). In ancient Israel, altars were made of earth (Exodus 20:24), and the blood of sacrifices was poured at their base (Leviticus 4:7). Those **under the altar** represent the faithful dead—buried in the earth, awaiting justice.
The phrase **"souls under the altar"** does not imply disembodied spirits in heaven but rather refers to slain believers whose **blood was poured out in martyrdom**, similar to Abel's blood crying from the ground (Genesis 4:10). These are not immortal souls, but rather the **dead in Christ**, awaiting resurrection.
- The **martyrs under the altar** represent those who died for their faith, refusing to submit to Rome.
- Their **cry for justice** reflects the suffering of persecuted groups, such as the **Cathars (Albigensians), Waldensians, and other dissenters**.
- The **white robes** symbolize divine approval, indicating that their faithfulness will be rewarded.
- The **waiting period** suggests that persecution will continue until the end of the prophetic timeline.
### **The Albigensian Crusade (1209–1229 CE) – The Slaughter of the Cathars**
One of the most infamous persecutions in history, the **Albigensian Crusade** was launched by **Pope Innocent III** to eradicate the **Cathars** in southern France. The Cathars rejected Papal authority and sought a return to the purity of early Christianity, making them a prime target for extermination.
- **Massacres at Béziers and Carcassonne (1209)** – Tens of thousands of men, women, and children were slaughtered. When asked how to distinguish heretics from faithful Catholics, a Papal legate reportedly said, **"Kill them all; God will know His own."**
- **Siege of Montségur (1244)** – The last stronghold of the Cathars fell, and over **200 Cathars were burned alive** rather than renounce their faith.
- **The Inquisition (1233 Onward)** – After the Crusade, the **Inquisition** continued hunting down and executing suspected heretics.
This era of brutal suppression fulfilled the prophecy of the **Fifth Seal**, as faithful believers were slain for the testimony they held.
### **The Fifth Seal in Light of the 1260-Year Prophecy**
The **persecution of the faithful** under Papal supremacy aligns with the **1260-year prophecy** (533–1793 CE), when religious dissenters were brutally suppressed.
- **From Justinian’s Decree (533 CE) to the French Revolution (1793 CE)** – A period marked by Papal domination and persecution.
- **The White Robes Given to the Martyrs** – A symbol of vindication, foreshadowing the weakening of Papal power and the eventual fall of the Inquisition.
### **Persecution of Other Faithful Groups**
Beyond the Cathars, many other Christian groups suffered under Papal rule:
1. **The Waldensians (12th–17th Century)**
- Originating in the late 12th century, the Waldensians rejected Papal authority, veneration of saints, and the doctrine of transubstantiation.
- They faced relentless persecution, including massacres and forced conversions.
2. **The Lollards (14th–15th Century)**
- Followers of John Wycliffe, the Lollards sought to make the Bible accessible to all, challenging the power of the clergy.
- They were condemned as heretics, imprisoned, and burned at the stake.
3. **The Huguenots (16th–17th Century)**
- French Protestants influenced by Calvinism, the Huguenots were targeted in the **St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (1572)** and other purges.
- Many were executed or forced into exile.
These events further confirm the **cry of the martyrs** under the Fifth Seal, as persecution continued for centuries.
### **The Coming Vindication**
The **white robes** given to the martyrs signify their ultimate vindication. Though they suffered greatly, their faithfulness would be honored. This foreshadowed the weakening of Papal power:
- **The Protestant Reformation (16th Century)** – Exposed corruption and weakened Papal control over Europe.
- **The French Revolution (1793)** – Marked a decisive blow against the Papacy, leading to its loss of political power.
- **The Fall of the Papal States (1870)** – The Pope’s temporal authority was permanently curtailed.
These events fulfilled the promise that **the faithful would be vindicated**, and their persecutors would face judgment.
### **Conclusion: The Fifth Seal as a Period of Persecution**
The Fifth Seal represents the **era of religious martyrdom**, especially the **Albigensian Crusade** and the **Inquisition**. The faithful were slain for their beliefs, crying out for justice, but their vindication would come in the later decline of Papal power.
This interpretation aligns with the progression of history:
- **First Seal (White Horse):** The rise of the Papacy (**313–325 CE, fully realized by 606 CE**).
- **Second Seal (Red Horse):** Religious wars and persecutions (**533 CE onward**).
- **Third Seal (Black Horse):** Spiritual famine under ecclesiastical corruption.
- **Fourth Seal (Pale Horse):** Death through Papal tyranny and religious oppression.
- **Fifth Seal (Martyrs Under the Altar):** The faithful cry for justice, pointing toward the coming judgment.
As history unfolded, the blood of the martyrs testified against their persecutors, setting the stage for the **final judgment** that would follow in the subsequent seals.
